Snoop Dogg is now the owner of Death Row Records. BusinessWire reports that today (Feb. 9), the rap icon announced that he has acquired the Death Row Records brand from MNRK Music Group, which is controlled by private equity funds managed by leading global investment firm Blackstone.
It is being reported that the terms of the transaction were not disclosed. But Snoop Dogg’s latest album, Bacc On Death Row is set to be released on February 11, 2022.
“I am thrilled and appreciative of the opportunity to acquire the iconic and culturally significant Death Row Records brand, which has immense untapped future value," Snoop said via statement. "It feels good to have ownership of the label I was part of at the beginning of my career and as one of the founding members. This is an extremely meaningful moment for me. I would like to personally thank the teams at Blackstone, MNRK and especially David Kestnbaum, who worked collaboratively with me over several months to make this exciting homecoming a reality. I’m looking forward to building the next chapter of Death Row Records.”
David Kestnbaum, a Senior Managing Director at Blackstone, also issued a statement.
“We at Blackstone are strong supporters of the artist and creator community in our entertainment investments. We are excited to put the Death Row Records brand back in the hands of a legend like Snoop Dogg. We wish him success in the years ahead as the brand moves forward under his leadership and vision.” Added Chris Taylor, MNRK Music Group’s, President & CEO: “Snoop is clearly the executive to take Death Row into its next 30 years. MNRK has been honored to oversee this legendary brand over the last decade and enjoyed introducing it to millions of new fans in 2021 through our award-winning 30th anniversary marketing campaign.”
Snoop famously began his career at Death Row Records, one of the 1990s most successful rap labels. The West Coast-based label was founded by Marion "Suge" Knight and helped launch the careers of artists like Snoop, Tha Dogg Pound, Jewell, Danny Boy, The Lady of Rage and others. Death Row's first major success came via Dr. Dre, who launched his solo career and set the label atop the rap world with The Chronic in 1992. That album heavily featured a young Snoop (then "Doggy") Dogg, who would release Doggy Style, his own multiplatinum debut for Death Row, in 1993. The label also signed Tupac Shakur in late 1995, and he released his diamond-selling fourth album All Eyez On Me on Death Row Records in 1996.
